Input:
Initial data or input data are prepared in some convenient form for processing.
E.g. computers input data is recorded into input medium such as internal
memory, cards, disks, flash etc.

Processing: Input data are changed, usually combined with other
information to produce data in a more useful form. E.g. pay checks may be
calculated from the time cards or a summary of sales for the month may be
calculated from the sales orders.

Output: Results of the preceding processing step are collected. The output
data/result form depends on the use of the data. E.g. pay checks for employee,
printed summary of monthly sales for management, or data to be stored for
further processing.

Origination:
refers to the processes of collecting the original data into source documents.
E.g. graded test papers

Distribution:
refers to distribution of the output. Recordings of the output data are often
called report documents. E.g. class grade sheets

Storage:
crucial step in many data processing procedures. The processed results are
stored for use as input data in the future. A unified set of data storage is
called a file which consists of records. A collection of files forms a database

Data processing
operations

Recording:
is the transferring of data onto some form or document. The operation occurs
during origination, and distribution steps, and throughout the processing
cycle.

Duplicating: refers to reproducing the data onto many forms or
documents

Verifying: since recording is usually done manually, it is important that the
recorded data be carefully checked for errors. E.g. typed reports are reread
for correctness

Classifying: refers to separating of data into categories

Sorting: is arranging data in a specific order

Merging: this operation takes two or more sets of data, all sets having been
sorted by same key, and puts them together to form a single sorted set of data

Calculating: refers to performing numerical calculations on the
(numerical) data

Summarising and report writing

Types of Data Processing
(DP) systems - Devices so far have evolved into three types

3.Electronic devices:modern age
begun in 1944 - date. It includes the modern computer which have evolved into
five generations with advancement of processing hardware; the vacuum tubes,
transistors, integrated circuits and microprocessors.

Advantages of
electronic data processing

-Speed and Accuracy

-Automatic operations

Most important advantage of modern Electronic
computer

Cary out a sequence of many different data
processing operations without human intervention

Automation is possible through stored program

-Decision making capability

·Computer can perform certain decision instructions
automatically

·Determining whether a statement is true or false

·Based on that results, choosing one or the other
course of action out of alternatives